Ischemic myelopathy following cardiac arrest

Ischemic myelopathy, resulting in flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities with loss of bladder and bowel control, occurred in a patient who had suffered a massive myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest, followed by prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Individual anatomic variations in the vasculature of the spinal cord and the collateral spinal circulation may be important determinants of ischemic damage.